The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be one of the more interesting teams to watch in the NFL once the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around in a few weeks. It is hard to tell what the organization is thinking when it comes to the first round of the event. The franchise can choose to do anything really and there would be a way to explain why the move makes sense. At this time over the last several years, it was fairly easy to decipher at least what position the organization would be going with, but that is not the case in 2026. Pittsburgh has a handful of options when it comes to positions that could be drafted, and trades could be on the table as well.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Owner Art Rooney II on the field at a team practice while having a discussion.
The Steelers still need a franchise quarterback, but that player is not going to come through the 2026 NFL Draft. The position group is weak in this draft class, and there is a chance that only one quarterback is taken in the first round of the event. However, people are optimistic about the quarterback class in 2027, which might make it a smart move for the Steelers to move back in the first round in 2026. This would allow the team to stock up on some 2027 draft capital, while also still being able to make a first-round selection in 2026. Beat writer Brian Batko was asked about a potential trade-down scenario during his mailbag for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and he doesn't think it is likely.
"Casey Hampton is the last time if I'm not mistaken," Batko said. "That's all well and good on paper, but the caveat with that is it takes a team wanting to trade up. I'm not sure how many teams will want to do that in this draft."
During the 2001 NFL Draft, the Steelers traded down in the first round of the event. Pittsburgh originally had the 16th overall pick, but the franchise struck a deal with the New York Jets that moved the Steelers down to 19 where the team drafted Casey Hampton. That obviously worked out as Hampton was a big piece of the defense for the next decade.
Charles LeClaire / US PRESSWIRE
Steelers' Casey Hampton running on the field before a game.
The Steelers would certainly love to be able to replicate something like that in 2026, but it is unlikely. In order to trade down there has to be a team that is willing to trade up, and Batko doesn't really see that happening. Usually trade-ups in the back half of the first round happen within the last four picks of the round. This occurs when a team who is selecting near the front of the second round wants to move up into the first in order to have an option for an extra year of control of a player with the fifth-year option -- which is something only first-round picks are granted.
Maybe some team will end up wanting to move up in the event, but it is hard to imagine the Steelers will be able to move down and receive some significant compensation. The only teams that might want to move up are ones that are searching for wide receivers. Wide receivers could start flying off the board which might make teams panic and look to move up, but Pittsburgh is also in the market for a pass catcher as well.
Joseph Maiorana / Imagn Images
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan stands on the field with his arms folded as he looks out into the distance while the team gets set to play in a professional football contest.
Steelers Need To Focus On Moving Some 2026 Draft Capital
If the Steelers have to make a pick at 21, that is completely fine. However, the franchise cannot make 12 selections in the event. General Manager Omar Khan has to find a way to use some of those picks to the organization's advantage. Either package them together to move up on Day 1 or Day 2, or use them to bring in more draft capital in 2027. That could end up being helpful when trying to acquire a quarterback a year from now.
What do you think about the idea that the Steelers could move back in the first round? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
#SteelerNation